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Rivalry or no rivalry, one thing is certain: today's game important for Troy, South Alabama

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Troy's Chandler Worthy dives into the end zone in front of South Alabama's Tyrell Pearson in last year's game between the schools at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The teams neet for the second time today at noon at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy. Kickoff is set for noon CDT. (Mike Kittrell/mkittrell@al.com)

TROY, Alabama -- One game does not a rivalry make. But they're working on it.

For sure, emotions and intensity won't be missing from today's South Alabama-Troy game. This is a game both teams want and in many ways, a game both teams need. Designating the game as a rivalry isn't important in such circumstances.

The in-state and Sun Belt Conference rivals -- regardless of the level the rivalry is judged -- find themselves with some added incentive for today's game. And more than a few similarities.

South Alabama , the Sun Belt upstart, enters the game with some momentum, even off a loss, as well as a 2-2 overall record and 1-0 mark in conference play. The Jaguars, picked to finish near the bottom of the league standings in the preseason, find themselves at the top of the standings after just one of seven league games. A win over Troy would add some more punch to that pronouncement.

The Trojans, after winning their first two games of the season, have dropped their past three and are at 0-1 in Sun Belt games. Regardless of which team Troy was playing today it would be in need of a win. The fact that South Alabama is the opponent -- on homecoming no less -- only increases that need. The Trojans need to stop the losing streak. Falling to 2-4 for the year and 0-2 in the league would put the Trojans' season in a precarious situation.

How it will turn out is anyone's guess. Troy is a 3.5-point favorite heading into today's kickoff, which is set for noon at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the Sun Belt Network (Comcast Cable subscribers) and is also available online on ESPN3.

Both teams have solid offenses, both directed by a two-quarterback system. Senior Corey Robinson and Deon Anthony will take the reins for the Trojans, with senior Ross Metheny and junior Brandon Bridge leading the Jaguars' attack. Both sets of quarterbacks have plenty of playmakers around them.

Defensively, both teams have new coordinators -- Kevin Sherrer for South Alabama and Wayne Bolt for Troy, though this is Bolt's second turn in the job at Troy. Both teams feature solid play up front, good quickness at linebacker and players in the secondary who continue to improve each week.

The Trojans have the top-ranked total offense and passing offense in the Sun Belt. They rank No. 2 in scoring offense and No. 6 in rushing offense. On the defensive side, Troy is No. 7 in scoring defense, No. 6 in total defense, No. 3 in rushing defense and No. 7 in pass defense.

South Alabama is No. 4 in scoring offense and passing offense, No. 5 in rushing offense and No. 5 in total offense. Defensively, the numbers are steady, the Jags sitting at No. 2 in rushing defense and No. 3 in pass defense, scoring defense, total defense.

Last year, Troy claimed a 31-10 win in Mobile.

Fans taking part in an AL.com poll suggest this year's game will be a close one. See results of the poll here.

Or you can read about the Trojans and Jags' preference for using a two-quarterback system here.